Abstract

The cross section and decay angular distributions for the coherent ϕ-meson photoproduction on the deuteron have been measured for the first time up to a squared four-momentum transfer t=(pγ-pϕ)<sup>2</sup>=-2 GeV<sup>2</sup>/c<sup>2</sup>, using the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The cross sections are compared with predictions from a rescattering model. In a framework of vector meson dominance, the data are consistent with the total ϕ-N cross section σ<sub>ϕN</sub> at about 10 mb. If vector meson dominance is violated, a larger σ<sub>ϕN</sub> is possible by introducing a larger t slope for the ϕN→ϕN process than that for the γN→ϕN process. The decay angular distributions of the ϕ are consistent with helicity conservation.